RTA's HealthLine debuts -- minus fareboxes, plus jaywalkers

Lonnie Timmons III/The Plain DealerMinor glitches marked the first day of operation Monday of the RTA HeathLine along Euclid Avenue. This is one of the new buses on the line.

CLEVELAND -- Jaywalkers and nonworking fare machines were among minor glitches on the RTA HeathLine's first day of operation Monday.

The bus/rapid transit system runs on Euclid Avenue from Public Square to the Stokes/Windermere station in East Cleveland.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority had touted the fare vending machines in each station as a major factor in speeding up the route since people would prepay and board quickly at the front or back doors.

But the machines weren't working Monday morning and likely won't until next week, said RTA spokesman Jerry Masek. He said testing of the machines is incomplete, and, for now, drivers will collect the fares.

Jaywalkers, however, are likely to be a recurring problem, officials said.

Transit police were busy Monday issuing warnings to people who exited the vehicle, hopped off the station's platform located in the center of Euclid Avenue, then crossed the street and traffic, Masek said. Riders exiting the HealthLine need to walk to the end of the station and use the crosswalk at the traffic light.

Riders will be given a grace period before RTA starts issuing tickets, he said.

Also Monday, many people appeared to be unaware that they were supposed to board the new vehicle instead of the popular No. 6 bus it replaces, Masek said. The transit authority may post temporary signs about the HealthLine.

A number of RTA officials were in and around the HealthLine before 6 a.m. Monday to help riders, Masek said. They also passed out cards listing new fares on all RTA bus and rail systems that went into effect Monday. Most riders were aware of the fare increases, Masek said.

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